Cheval Blanc

WA96, ST98, WS97 Rated 98 points by Stephen Tanzer`s International Wine Cellar: `(24.8 h/h; 12.4% alcohol):? Garnet-tinged red.? Initially slightly funky on the nose, then turned richer and deeper, offering notes of dark plum, coffee and truffle and a whiff of alcohol.? Very sweet, ripe and pure on entry, but lively, harmonious acids provide needed lift to the rich red cherry, plum and herbal flavors.? Shows impressive finishing thrust for such a big, ripe wine, along with extremely smooth tannins, outstanding persistence and a lingering coffee nuance.? An outstanding, unforgettable wine, and more classic than the 1947, the `49 was the result of a difficult year, beginning with very dry January and February conditions.? The flowering was uneven due to cool and rainy conditions, and significant coulure resulted in a greatly reduced crop.? A? hot summer followed (it was an unbelievable 43?C on July 11!),? with harvest taking place from September 26 to October 9.? The bottle I had at the vertical tasting was slightly oxidized, so I opened the last one from my own cellar for this report and some friends who dropped by that day are still calling to thank me.`

Cheval Blanc

WA96, ST98, WS97 Rated 98 points by Stephen Tanzer`s International Wine Cellar: `(24.8 h/h; 12.4% alcohol):? Garnet-tinged red.? Initially slightly funky on the nose, then turned richer and deeper, offering notes of dark plum, coffee and truffle and a whiff of alcohol.? Very sweet, ripe and pure on entry, but lively, harmonious acids provide needed lift to the rich red cherry, plum and herbal flavors.? Shows impressive finishing thrust for such a big, ripe wine, along with extremely smooth tannins, outstanding persistence and a lingering coffee nuance.? An outstanding, unforgettable wine, and more classic than the 1947, the `49 was the result of a difficult year, beginning with very dry January and February conditions.? The flowering was uneven due to cool and rainy conditions, and significant coulure resulted in a greatly reduced crop.? A? hot summer followed (it was an unbelievable 43?C on July 11!),? with harvest taking place from September 26 to October 9.? The bottle I had at the vertical tasting was slightly oxidized, so I opened the last one from my own cellar for this report and some friends who dropped by that day are still calling to thank me.`